Cooperation between Local Authorities and Economic Entities in Polish Economic Zones – Evidence from Lower Silesia in Poland

Cooperation between Local Authorities and Economic Entities in Polish Economic Zones – Evidence from Lower Silesia in Poland

Tomasz Pilewicz,

Warsaw School of Economics,

Warsaw, Poland,

mail: tomasz.pilewicz@sgh.waw.pl

Anna Mempel-Śnieżyk,

Wroclaw University of Economics,

Wroclaw, Poland,

E-mail: anna.sniezyk@ue.wroc.pl

Abstract. The article presents the phenomenon of special economic zones (SEZs) in Poland through characteristics of its legal, organizational and economic aspects. The detailed study of benefits and expectations from local authorities and managing authority of SEZs in Lower Silesia has been presented. The aim of this paper is to explain the phenomenon and the importance of cooperation between the enterprises located in special economic zones (SEZs) and also, between enterprises and local authorities. The authors hypothesize that participation in SEZs activities results in establishing cooperation among other entities within and beyond SEZs. For this paper, we designed and conducted a survey among economic entities seated in SEZs of Lower Silesia region.

A simple random sampling approach was used with a representative number of economic entities’ subpopulations proportionally reflecting the size of enterprises (small, medium, large) in the studied population. The interview questionnaire comprises a set of 24 questions referring to various aspects in the functioning of enterprises in SEZs.

The conducted research have found that although research entities indicated legal obstacles, confusing regulations, shortage of personnel, or limited space for enterprise development in SEZs in Lower Silesia they qualified relationships with local authorities as very favourable and rather favourable. Despite the identified unfavourable conditions for conducting business the researched entities invested in new technologies, services and further expansion during their activity in SEZs. The researched entities also recognized the crucial role of the authority formally managing SEZs and their satisfaction resulting from relationships with local authorities.

Received:January, 2018

1st Revision: March, 2018

Accepted: May, 2018

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2018/11-2/6

JEL Classification: L14, L26, O18, R11

Keywords: special economic zone; networks of cooperation; local authorities, Poland